The printing segment is growing again, and Brazil will host the largest and best fair of the decade for the printing industry in Latin America: ExpoPrint Latin America 2006, which will present to the Latin-American market everything that is new in this segment, occupying an area of 24 thousand square meters for the exhibition of new and running machines. The event is an initiative of AFEIGRAF (Association of Agents for Suppliers of Equipments and Supplies for the Printing Industry), organized and promoted by Messe Frankfurt Feiras, a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, one of the major organizers of fairs in the world, which has 765 years of experience. The sector’s numbers are indeed encouraging. According to data from the Department of Economic Studies of ABIGRAF (Brazilian Association of Printing Industries), sales of the sector are expected to increase (in nominal terms) by 10 or 11% during this year. Combined, just the FIFA World Cup and the Brazilian elections shall account for half of this growth. Companies are also feeling the heat of the moment, as Jose Carlos Barone, VP of AFEIGRAF and Director of Muller Martini has shown when answering to the following questions: Is the printing market growing again? José Carlos Barone – Yes. After a period of strongly contained investments, high F/X rates that traumatized the importers’ market, we are of the opinion that there is space for a gradual readjustment of the printing industry, not only in terms of printing, but mainly in balancing investments and modernizing the post-printing segment, which is also known as graphical finishing. Will 2006 be appropriate to host a printing industry fair of such magnitude as the ExpoPrint? José Carlos Barone - Certainly. Even with the global economic difficulties, the internal political scene, and the insufficient growth of the Brazilian industry, we have noticed that some businessmen are already showing optimism, investing today for the growth they expect for the upcoming years. For this reason, 2006 is perfect for ExpoPrint, as investments are taking place in a consistent manner. Dieter Brandt, AFEIGRAF’s Director and also President for Heildelberg, adds on: “The scenario is good to pioneer with ExpoPrint, which will mark a new concept for printing fairs in this Country”. Brandt also said “the large fairs go beyond simply clinching deals; they must aim at providing detailed information on available technologies, clarify doubts and put entrepreneurs in touch with the latest solutions for the sector”. ExpoPrint Latin America 2006 will be the largest event of the decade for this sector in Latin America, and will attract exhibitors from all over the world. It will provide the Latin-American market with cutting-edge technologies that are largely used by the best printing houses in the world. Professionals of this sector will have a unique opportunity to be connected with the frontrunners of technology in the printing industry, updating their knowledge. ExpoPrint Latin America 2006 From 31st May to 6th June 2006 Schedule: Monday to Friday, from 1:00pm to 8:00pm. Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm Transamérica ExpoCenter (behind Transamérica Hotel) Address: Avenida Dr. Mário Villas Boas Rodrigues, 387 Santo Amaro - São Paulo - Brazil For further information, contact: ExpoPrint Latin America 2006 www.expoprint.com.br AFEIGRAF www.afeigraf.org.br tel. (+ 55 11) 5034-0122 Messe Frankfurt Feiras www.messefrankfurt.com.br tel. (+ 55 11) 5103-9500